Bosnia and Herzegovina Explorer Trip
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During this week long tour you will uncover the magic of Bosnia's history and culture. You will see traditional villages where you will be able to mingle with the locals, visit Ottoman architecture, monasteries and homes, mountains and the birthplace of famous Yugoslav laureate.
- Duration: 7 day(s)
- Location: Sarajevo, Lukomir, Travnik, Mostar, Blagaj, Počitelj
Day 1
After your pick-up there is a short walk to the old oriental part of Sarajevo. We end the day with a traditional dinner on the Miljacka River opposite the National Library.
Day 2
On day 2 you will be treated to a 2 hour walking tour of the major historical, cultural and war sites in the city and help you to piece together its complex and fascinating history. After our short walk we'll have dinner in Baščaršija, the city's beautiful old bazaar, dating from the Ottoman period. After our city tour we set off for a bird's eye-view of Sarajevo as well as paying a visit to the famous Sarajevo War Tunnel. The tunnel provided the citizens of Sarajevo with a lifeline during Sarajevo's 1,400 days of isolation and was the only "reliable" road in for goods and electricity.
Day 3
Lukomir is Bosnia's highest village at 1,469 metres. Here you will have a peek into the lifestyle and traditions of the Bjelašnica highlanders that have survived since ancient times. We will first visit the local villagers before heading off into the canyon to witness a waterfall and the amazing Rakitinca Canyon. Lunch will be served on the high ridge over the 800m drop into the canyon with stunning views of the mountains.
Day 4
After a little more than an hours ride northeast from Sarajevo, we'll pass through the colourful outskirts of the ancient village of Kraljeva Sutjeska, home to the centuries old Franciscan Monastery, Sveti Ivo (Saint John's). We'll follow the picturesque valley where the recent rains will cool our walk with rushing mountain water and gently ascend on a well maintained trail to the steep ridge to reach the ruins of the 14 century citadel "Bobovac", the last residence of the Bosnian kings Tvrtko II and Tomas. After our visit we set of to Travnik, an old Ottoman trading post in central Bosnia, which has a rich history and boasts some of the most beautiful Turkish style buildings, including many mosques, in the country. Travnik is also the birthplace of Ivo Andrić, the Yugoslav Nobel Prize Laureate for Literature.
Day 5
Today we first visit Ivo Andrić's birthplace and the old city fort, before driving via Jablanica to Mostar. We'll spend the afternoon and evening exploring Mostar, the former oriental trading center of Herzegovina, situated on the Neretva River. You'll still see the scars of war, but these days Mostar is once again a warm and bustling place, with a fascinating history and wonderful architecture.
Day 6
Our first stop today will be the nearby village of Blagaj. Blagaj's highlights are the Buna Spring and the adjacent Ottoman house/monastery. This 16th century house/monastery was built for the Dervish cults and is still one of the most mystical places in all of Bosnia and Herzegovina. A newly built heritage trail around the town is a rather pleasant 30-45 minute walk starting at the Tekija Dervish House and visiting the beautiful example of Ottoman stone masonry, Velagić House, built in 17th century. Our next stop will be Počitelj, a quaint oriental- style town located about half an hour's drive from Mostar. This unique settlement is listed as a UNESCO Heritage site. Besides its stunning oriental architecture and Ottoman feel, Počitelj hosts the longest operating art colony in southeastern Europe. After lunch, we set off back to Sarajevo via Radimlja with her beautiful numerous Christian Medieval tombstones.
After your pick-up there is a short walk to the old oriental part of Sarajevo. We end the day with a traditional dinner on the Miljacka River opposite the National Library.
Day 2
On day 2 you will be treated to a 2 hour walking tour of the major historical, cultural and war sites in the city and help you to piece together its complex and fascinating history. After our short walk we'll have dinner in Baščaršija, the city's beautiful old bazaar, dating from the Ottoman period. After our city tour we set off for a bird's eye-view of Sarajevo as well as paying a visit to the famous Sarajevo War Tunnel. The tunnel provided the citizens of Sarajevo with a lifeline during Sarajevo's 1,400 days of isolation and was the only "reliable" road in for goods and electricity.
Day 3
Lukomir is Bosnia's highest village at 1,469 metres. Here you will have a peek into the lifestyle and traditions of the Bjelašnica highlanders that have survived since ancient times. We will first visit the local villagers before heading off into the canyon to witness a waterfall and the amazing Rakitinca Canyon. Lunch will be served on the high ridge over the 800m drop into the canyon with stunning views of the mountains.
Day 4
After a little more than an hours ride northeast from Sarajevo, we'll pass through the colourful outskirts of the ancient village of Kraljeva Sutjeska, home to the centuries old Franciscan Monastery, Sveti Ivo (Saint John's). We'll follow the picturesque valley where the recent rains will cool our walk with rushing mountain water and gently ascend on a well maintained trail to the steep ridge to reach the ruins of the 14 century citadel "Bobovac", the last residence of the Bosnian kings Tvrtko II and Tomas. After our visit we set of to Travnik, an old Ottoman trading post in central Bosnia, which has a rich history and boasts some of the most beautiful Turkish style buildings, including many mosques, in the country. Travnik is also the birthplace of Ivo Andrić, the Yugoslav Nobel Prize Laureate for Literature.
Day 5
Today we first visit Ivo Andrić's birthplace and the old city fort, before driving via Jablanica to Mostar. We'll spend the afternoon and evening exploring Mostar, the former oriental trading center of Herzegovina, situated on the Neretva River. You'll still see the scars of war, but these days Mostar is once again a warm and bustling place, with a fascinating history and wonderful architecture.
Day 6
Our first stop today will be the nearby village of Blagaj. Blagaj's highlights are the Buna Spring and the adjacent Ottoman house/monastery. This 16th century house/monastery was built for the Dervish cults and is still one of the most mystical places in all of Bosnia and Herzegovina. A newly built heritage trail around the town is a rather pleasant 30-45 minute walk starting at the Tekija Dervish House and visiting the beautiful example of Ottoman stone masonry, Velagić House, built in 17th century. Our next stop will be Počitelj, a quaint oriental- style town located about half an hour's drive from Mostar. This unique settlement is listed as a UNESCO Heritage site. Besides its stunning oriental architecture and Ottoman feel, Počitelj hosts the longest operating art colony in southeastern Europe. After lunch, we set off back to Sarajevo via Radimlja with her beautiful numerous Christian Medieval tombstones.
Day 7
We'll head back to Sarajevo. Today, you'll have free time in the morning for some last minute shopping or sightseeing, before we take you to the airport for your flight home or onto your next destination.
